News and blog

Update for Saturday January 14th

The market is open this Saturday, and all four of the farmer stands will be open and fully stocked- Kistaco Farm, J.L Kennedy Meat Stand, Zang's and Greenawalts.  Here is a summary of what will be available: 

• Locally raised meat (J. L. Kennedy Meat Stand).  This week their special item is veal.  It is best to call out to the farm today and place an order.  The number at the farm is 724-898-2316.  Otherwise take your chances and try to get in early on Saturday.
• Locally raised apples and apple cider (Kistaco Farm)

There will be a variety of other fruits and vegetables available throughout the market from Zang's, Greenawalt and Kistaco stands.  Some are still locally grown items and some are "imported."  If you are interested in locally grown, please feel free to ask the farmers which items are local.

Potatoes
Mushrooms
Squash
Celery
Carrots and other root vegetables
Onions
Shallots
Peppers- sweet and hot
Garlic
Lettuce
Spinach
Green beans
Broccoli
Florida Citrus such as lemons, oranges and tangerines
Grapes
Other fruit such as berries
Locally grown potted flowers

Other vendors in the market will also be open.  So keep in mind that this includes many locally made offerings such as hummus from the Greek Gourmet, fresh baked items from Rebecca Plum, and fresh made donuts from Better-Made Donuts.  Also, pasta from Fontana Pasta, and bread from Wood Street Bakery.  Many Amish made prepared items are available at Greenawalts.  Kistaco sells dried soup mixes which are easy to make and great during the cold weather months.

Kew Park Coffee Bar

We will be featuring more of the beans that we imported "green" and roasted locally in Pittsburgh.  We will be brewing a darkmedium bean roasted by LaPrima, and a medium bean roasted by Commonplace Roasters.  So please stop by to give theses roasts a try, and let us know what you think.

Florida citrus is in its prime so we have beautiful oranges, nectarines and grapfruits for making fresh squeezed juice.

Since the weather has turned cold, we will have hot chocolate- back by popular demand!

PA Made Cheese

We are back open this week, and are fully stocked.  We received some new items.  We will have fresh curds from Arsenal Cheese, and fresh goat chesses from Riverview Dairy.  Sam Byler also sent us a wheel of an aged "tome" goat cheese that he is calling Baurnhof.  I tasted it yesterday and it is really good.

California Olive Oil Connection

We have six different extra virgin olive oils this week.  We also have 4 different organicly grown dried fruits from Van Dyke Organics in Gilroy, CA.  These are great items for the winter months.

I am working on getting some "direct from the farm" raisins and nuts into the market.  They should arrive in the next few weeks.  The almonds are being harvested as we speak.

Update on Direct from the Farm 

2012 will be the second full year of business for the Lagnese family who have brought the "direct from the farm" concept to the Farmers Market Coop of East Liberty.  The idea behind this is to bring great items to the market and do it by dealing directly with the farmers and producers.  This way the farmers get a larger share of the revenue since we are not dealing with middle men or distributors.  In many cases the itms we are bringing in are not available any where else in Pittsburgh.  We look forward to continuing and expanding the concept in 2012.

We recently took inventory for the business in preparation for our tax filing.  As I did that, I was reflecting on all of the relationships that we have formed over the last year.  It made me feel really good to know that we (and you the customers) are supporting so many small scale, family operations.  I have gotten to know these folks through email and phone correspondance, and in some cases visiting the farms.  So I just want to take a moment to recognize all the farmers and producers that we have worked with in 2011.  Each of them puts a great deal of hard work and care into growing and making their products.

Kew Park Estate Coffee

Located in Westmoreland, Jamaica.  This was our first relationship.  Kew Park is owned and operated by Peter Williams and Gina Green.  We have developed a great business relationship and friendship with Peter and Gina since meeting them during a vacation to Jamaica in 2009.  Peter has vistited the market 3 times so far, and we hope to get him back in 2012.

Learn more at:  http://kewpark.com/About_KewPark.html

Olive Oil- California Olive Oil Connection

Corto Olive Farm

Owned and operated by the Cortopassi family. The farm is located in Stockton, which is in California’s “Central Valley.”

Learn more at: http://www.corto-olive.com/

Figueroa Farm

The farm is located in Santa Ynez, and the oil is milled on the farm.  It is owned and operated by Shawn and Antoinette Addison, a prominent family in the California olive oil industry.

Learn more at: http://www.figueroafarms.com/

Hillcrest Ranch

Located on top of a mountain in Sunol (a hair raising journey that I experienced in April).  The property is owned and operated by Kathleen Elliott- a third generation female farmer.

Learn more at: http://www.hillcrestrancholiveoil.com/

Olinda RIdge Organic Farm

Located in Butte County in northern California.  Also now owned by Shawn and Antoinette Addison.

Learn more at: http://www.olindaridge.com/

Olio Nuevo

Located in Paso Robles in the heart of wine country. The operation is owned and operated by Art Kishiyama.  I visited the farm in April and was so impressed by the meticulous growing and processing practices used by Art.

Learn more at: http://www.olionuevo.com/

Stonehouse Olive Oil

The olives are grown on Silver Ridge Farm in Oroville California.  Trish Baldwin is the owner.

Learn more at: http://stonehouseoliveoil.com/

 Dried Organic Fruit

 Van Dyke Organics

Located in Gilroy, California.  Owned and operated by Peter Van Dyke and his family.

 Learn more:  http://www.vandykeorganics.com/index.html

 PA Made Cheese

Arsenal Cheese- Allegheny County

Located right in the east end of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville.  Owned and operated by Jonathan Gaugler.

Learn more: http://arsenalcheese.com/

Clover Creek Cheese Cellar- Blair County

Clover Creek is owned and operated by David and Terry Rice and their children.

Learn more: http://www.clovercreekcheese.com/

God's Country Creamery- Potter County

God's Country Creamery is owned and operated by Mark and Melanie Bachman and their three children. 

Learn more: http://www.godscountrycreamery.com/

Hidden Hills Dairy- Bedford County

Hidden Hills Dairy is owned and operated by Lori Sollenberger and husband Rex Knepp.  

Learn more: http://www.hiddenhillsdairy.com/

Riverview Dairy- Clarion County

Riverview Dairy is owned and operated by Sam and Susie Byler and their 7 children.   Sam and Susie used to come to the market in person, but now work with us to sell their cheese.  We have visited their farm twice and are so impressed with the care and love that go into both raising the goats and making the cheese.

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Hand-made items from Uganda

I mentioned last week about the items from Uganda, but just want to remind folks to stop by and check them out.

 Margaret has lived in the U.S. for two years now, but she is still putting eight children through school in Uganda (six of whom she took into her home when their families were not able to take care of them).  All of the proceeds from the sale of her goods go right back to Uganda to pay school tuitions.

Please stop by to meet Margaret and look at these beautiful hand-made items.

Thanks again for your support!

David

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Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

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The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday January 7th

On behalf of all the farmers and vendors, we wish a happy new year to all of our customers.  We thank you for all of your support last year and look forward to serving you in 2012!

The market is open this Saturday, and all four of the farmers will be open and fully stocked- Kistaco Farm, J.L Kennedy Meat Stand, Zang's and Greenawalts.  I spoke with all the farmers this week, and here is a summary of what will be available:

• Locally raised meat (J. L. Kennedy Meat Stand)
• Locally raised apples and apple cider (Kistaco Farm)

There will be a variety of other fruits and vegetables available throughout the market from Zang's, Greenawalt and Kistaco stands.  Some are still locally grown items and some are "imported."

• Potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Squash
• Celery
• Carrots
• Onions
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Citrus such as lemons, oranges and tangerines
• Cherries
• Grapes

Other vendors in the market will also be open.  So keep in mind that this includes many locally made offerings such as hummus from the Greek Gourmet, fresh baked items from Rebecca Plum, and fresh made donuts from Better-Made Donuts.  Also, pasta from Fontana Pasta.  Many Amish made prepared items are available at Greenawalts.

We will be a little short staffed this week at the Kew Park Coffee, California Olive Oil Connection and PA Made Cheese.  We have several school events for our children and are not able to be there.   We are working to get some friends to stand in for us, so I expect that the Kew Park Coffee Bar and California Olive Oil Connection will be open, but not the PA Made Cheese stand.

Hand-made items from Uganda

Last, but not least, I want to highlight a new vendor that we have at the market.  

Thanks again for your support!

David

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday December 31st- New Years Eve

I hope everyone had a nice holiday break.  I want to let everyone know that the market will be open tomorrow, December 31st- New Years Eve.

I have been away this week so I don't have a specific update.

See you tomorrow and have a happy New Year!

David

****************************************************Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday December 24th- Christmas Eve

The market is open tomorrow.  I expect all vendors to be there and fully stocked.  I got so tied up in my holiday preparations yesterday that I did not get a chance to talk to the farmers.  I think some of the special items will be similar to last week, so see below.  And remember also that there are lots of last minute gift opportunities at the market.

See you tomorrow and have a happy holiday!

David

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Update for Saturday December 17th

We will be open this Saturday, and will have a full contingent of farmers and vendors available.  

I spoke to a few of the farmers so read below for an update.

But one thing I would like to mention is to think about the Farmers Market as a source of holiday gifts and house warming presents.
 
Some of the ideas I have are....  A smoked pheasant (they come vacuum wrapped) from the JL Kennedy Meat Stand, A fresh potted flower from Zang's Greenhouse, a pound of coffee beans from the Kew Park Coffee Bar, a bottle of olive oil from the California Olive Oil Connection, a piece of local cheese from PA Made Cheese, home made baked goods from Rebecca Plum, a jar of local honey from flower and bee, a fruit basket from Kistaco Farm, a jar of all-purpose sauce from Mrs. Jones, hummus from the Greek Gourmet, a jar of amish made pickles from Greenawalt Farm.  You can use your immagination and put together a nice basket of items from the market.  I think people really appreciate getting locally made and grown items.  

Kistaco Farm 

Kistaco will have 12 varieties of apples this week.  They will also fresh cider.  Kistaco will also have ready made holiday fruit baskets.  They will have them this week and next week.  If you want to be sure to get a specially made backet, you can order them this Saturday for next Saturday.

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Zang's Greenhouse

Rick from Zang's Greenhouse will still have some local vegetables, including potatoes, mushrooms, leeks, onions, celery root and shallots.  Chestnuts are imported from Italy.  In the flower department, Rick will have poinsettias, cyclamen, and Amaryllis.  Rick also has some really nice locally made wreaths.

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Greenawalt Farm

Locally grown items include potatoes and squash.  Of course eggs are always available. 

Brian picked up quite a bit of pine greens for decorating the house for the holidays- varieties include Blue Spruce and White Pine.

Greenawalts also have lots of prepared items like jellies, pickles, mustard and beets.  All are locally made, and some are Amish made.  They carry locally made frozen pasta and dried egg noodles.
 

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Peter Williams from Kew Park Estate Coffee visit

Peter Williams from Kew Park Estate Coffee in Jamaica visited the market last Saturday.   Peter had a great time visiting the market and talking to customers.  We spent the afternoon visiting coffee roasters.  We met with Sam Patti from La Prima, TJ Fairchild from Commonplace, and David DiOrio from 19 Coffee.  It was really an excellent day and we learned a lot from our meetings.  We asked each of these roasters to do a test roast for us. So we will be offering coffee roasted by each of them over the next few weeks.  We encourage input from our customers so that we can make a final decision on who to partner with to roast our coffee.  This Saturday we will be brewing the beans that were roasted by La Prima.

I visited Peter on the farm in Jamaica back in April.  I wrote a little story about my visit.  If you are interested, give it a read...

http://sfc.smallfarmcentral.com/dynamic_content/uploadfiles/1108/Kew%20Park%20Farm%20Visit.doc

TANA ETHIOPIAN CUISINE

Tana set up shop at the market last Saturday, and we expect them to be back this Saturday.  Tana is a neighborhood restaurant located in East Liberty at 5929 Baum Blvd., a few doors down from the Carnegie Library.  Restaurant Owner Seifu Haileyesus will be there.  They will be serving food from 9 to 11. 

If you have not tried TANA yet, you need to get over there for a visit.  Our family goes there regularly.  The food is very well prepared and flavorful.

Cook Books for sale

We continue to sell cookbooks that were written by my father- Joe Lagnese. The book is called "Cookin"- and is a book on food and life.  My father, was a big part of my inspiration and passion for food.  So I am really glad that he spent the time to put together his thoughts on life and food into a book.  The Post-Gazette ran a nice little article on the book.  Check it out.  

 http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11325/1190905-34.stm

Proceeds from sales of the book goes to a foundation that our family established to benefit people afflicted by Cystic Fibrosis.  We lost our sister-in-law, Muriel to CF last year, so we call the fondation Muriel's Breath of Life...  We will be selling books at the market.  They are only $10, and we will donate an additional $15 to the foundation for each book sold.  They also make great holiday gifts.

David Lagnese

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Saturday December 24th- Christmas Eve

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the market will be open this Saturday, December 24th.  We will be open normal hours- 5 am until noon.  All farmers and other vendors will be there.

I will send out more detials later this week.

David Lagnese

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.